{"id":9165,"date":"2013-04-10T16:48:36","date_gmt":"2013-04-10T21:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lisatener.local\/?p=9165"},"modified":"2024-09-30T08:59:11","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T12:59:11","slug":"get-unstuckified-an-interview-with-samantha-bennett","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/2013\/04\/get-unstuckified-an-interview-with-samantha-bennett\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Unstuckified: An Interview with Samantha Bennett"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_9166\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9166\" style=\"width: 199px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9166\" alt=\"author and expert sam bennet\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/samb-199x300.png\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9166\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Organized Artist, Sam Bennett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I first met Samantha Bennett when she interviewed me for a MaestroPath seminar.<\/p>\n<p>What struck me about Sam is how darn fun and funny she is, and her brilliant insights into getting things done&#8211;including completing a book. Time spent with Sam&#8211;whether reading an e-mail or listening to a call&#8211;is guaranteed to make you laugh, bring you joy, give you super-useful tools and tips, and inspire you to action from your toes to your tippy top!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:<\/span>\u00a0As an expert in getting unstuckified, what do you see as the main reasons people get stuck in writing their books or any other artistic process?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sam:<\/span><\/strong> There are as many ways of getting stuck as there are people, but often the culprit is an old, dusty, diminishing thought pattern like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><i>\u201cIt has to be perfect.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cI don\u2019t know how to do this.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cIt\u2019s all been done before.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cWho do I think I am?\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cSomeone will steal my idea.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These thoughts will turn a brilliant idea into a pair of cement shoes faster than you can say, \u201cPulitzer Prize.\u201d The key is to recognize these paralyzing thoughts for what they are: a nasty trick to keep you stuck.\u00a0 Then turn the questions around a bit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><i>\u201cThere\u2019s no way to know what perfect is right now.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cI wonder how a person would go about figuring out how to do this?\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cIt\u2019s all been done before&#8230;but not by me! My voice is unique!\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cWho do I think I am?\u00a0 Well, I think I\u2019m someone who wants to experiment&#8230;\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>\u201cIdeas can\u2019t be stolen, they can only be copied. Plus, I have a million great ideas.\u201d<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0It seems to me that sometimes writing a book is prone to bringing up people&#8217;s\u00a0 &#8220;stuff&#8221; and that part of what makes them successful is getting past any core beliefs or fears that are stopping them. Do you tend to focus on just toughing it out and developing habits to move forward or do you think it&#8217;s important to process the challenging beliefs and fears?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sam:<\/span><\/strong> I think a two-pronged strategy is important.\u00a0 You need to keep working through your old, negative beliefs, anxieties and fears, but you also need to just do the work.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t wait to feel ready.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t wait to feel like a \u201creal\u201d writer.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t wait for the right time.<\/p>\n<p>Just start writing every day.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>So how do you help people do that?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sam:<\/span><\/strong> I recommend \u201cautomating\u201d your writing time so that you never have to wrestle with yourself.\u00a0 If you make the decision to write every day for 15 minutes before you check your email, then you never have to think about whether or not you\u2019re writing, you just do it.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s sort of the same idea as having money automatically moved to a savings account \u2013 if you don\u2019t have to think about it, you\u2019ll end up with a fortune on your hands.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:<\/span><\/strong> A great tip. How did you get into helping creative people get organized and complete their projects?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sam:<\/span> <\/strong>Honestly, I was just trying to solve the problems I encountered in my own life as an actor, writer and improviser.\u00a0 It\u2019s tough to know what to do next, what project to work on, how to market yourself&#8230;and it\u2019s even hard just to keep going when, you know&#8230; there\u2019s no quarterly review on your art.\u00a0 So I started devising these worksheets and exercises, and then sharing them.<\/p>\n<p>I knew how great I felt when I was able to move past my insecurities and get big projects done, and I wanted other artists to enjoy that same feeling of joy and accomplishment.<\/p>\n<p>After all, there\u2019s no right way to be an artist\u2013 you just have to surf your life as best you can.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:<\/span><\/strong> Do you have a personal story about this?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9172\" alt=\"author expert sam bennett\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/sam-bennett-199x300.jpg\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" \/>Sam:<\/span><\/strong> One of the things I\u2019ve learned is that sometimes you\u2019re not moving forward on a project because it is, simply, not the right time.<\/p>\n<p>I started writing my book proposal six years ago, and then stuck it in a drawer. I always knew I wanted to keep going on it, but it seemed like there was some invisible wall in between that darn proposal and me.<\/p>\n<p>Eventually it occurred to me that I NEEDED to wait all that time, because I needed the time to grow my platform, I needed to learn more about marketing and, honestly, I needed the time to become a better writer.<\/p>\n<p>When I finally sat down to complete my book proposal last year, it didn\u2019t take me very long at all, and I was lucky enough to get a contract with New World Library \u2013 the first and only publishers to whom I submitted.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:<\/span><\/strong> Congratulations, Sam. That&#8217;s terrific news&#8211;let us know as soon as it&#8217;s out! Can you give our readers 3 tips for getting unstuckified?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sam:<\/span> <\/strong>Sure.<\/p>\n<p>1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>Give your project a fun, sexy, silly name<\/strong>.\u00a0 Calling your project \u201crevise manuscript\u201d sounds like boring homework \u2013 no wonder you\u2019re resisting it! But if you rename it, \u201cpolish the diamond of my book\u201d or \u201ceat the elephant one bite at a time\u201d or \u201clipstick and moonbeams\u201d or whatever &#8212; that might feel a little yummier.<\/p>\n<p>2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<strong>Get a coach, teacher, mentor or buddy.<\/strong>\u00a0 Quit thinking you can do this by yourself. Investing in professional help is the smartest thing you can do.\u00a0 I myself have a coach, an accountability partner and I\u2019m in two mastermind groups.\u00a0 Partnering with smart, loving people helps my art and my business prosper.\u00a0 (I realize this answer may seem a bit self-serving, but I\u2019m not saying you need to work with me or even with Lisa \u2013you just need to get consistent support from someone you respect.)<\/p>\n<p>3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<strong>Be very careful about sharing your work and ideas and STOP going to the empty cookie jar<\/strong>.\u00a0 By which I mean, there are some people in your life who, no matter how much they love you, are not understanding or supportive of your work.\u00a0 So quit talking to them about it.\u00a0 Just keep your head down and your shields up.\u00a0 Especially in the early stages \u2013 your creative work needs your protection and it does not need the criticism of well-meaning people.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lisa:<\/span><\/strong> I love these tips&#8211;and you are a master at &#8220;fun, sexy names.&#8221; You have an upcoming free teleseminar to help people get unstuckified&#8211;can you tell us what we&#8217;ll be learning on that call and why it&#8217;s not to be missed?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sam:<\/span><\/strong> You\u2019ll get Sam\u2019s Slightly Scandalous Suggestions for Success (hint: it involves the same principles as having a hot sex life : )<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll also do some work that guarantees that you will have a breakthrough around finding the time and money you\u2019ll need to get your project off the ground.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, I have the secret to \u201cdecluttering for the creative person,\u201d and I\u2019ll share it with you.<\/p>\n<p>If you can, do be there live \u2013 I always stay on the line to answer questions for as long as I can, so don\u2019t miss this chance to get your stickiest problems unstuckified!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Register for Sam<\/span><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-9166\" alt=\"samb\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/samb-199x300.png\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" \/><\/em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">antha&#8217;s free class: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sambennett.infusionsoft.com\/go\/mgid\/lisatene\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Get Unstuckified:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">W<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">hy You&#8217;re\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Procrastinating On the Import<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ant S<\/span>tu<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">ff and What To Do About It<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Monday, April 15th at 9:45am Pacific Time<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Samantha Bennett: Originally from Chicago, <a href=\"http:\/\/theorganizedartistcompany.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Samantha Bennett <\/a>is a writer, actor, teacher, creativity\/productivity specialist who has counseled hundreds of artists on their way to success.\u00a0\u00a0 The author of the surprisingly popular book of poems, \u201cBy The Way, You Look Really Great Today,\u201d Samantha is currently writing \u201cThe Organized Artist Book: A Success Book For Creative People Who Want To Be More Organized And Organized People Who\u2019d Like To Be More Creative.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Note of full disclosure from Lisa: I am a proud affiliate of Sam&#8217;s and if you use this link and later sign up for her paid program, I will receive an affiliate commission. As you know, I&#8217;m picky about affiliate programs, only belong to a few and only share with you those I believe have the ability to help you tremendously as an author.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I first met Samantha Bennett when she interviewed me for a MaestroPath seminar. What struck me about Sam is how darn fun and funny she is, and her brilliant insights into getting things done&#8211;including completing a book. Time spent with Sam&#8211;whether reading an e-mail or listening to a call&#8211;is guaranteed to make you laugh, bring&#8230;<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/2013\/04\/get-unstuckified-an-interview-with-samantha-bennett\/\"><em>&nbsp; Read more<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1678,23,108,28],"tags":[1258,1318,349,1319,1317,1320,1681,472],"class_list":{"0":"post-9165","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-how-to-write-a-book","8":"category-writers-block","9":"category-writing-classes","10":"category-writing-coach","11":"tag-coaching","12":"tag-getting-unstuck","13":"tag-inspiration-2","14":"tag-mentoring","15":"tag-samantha-bennett","16":"tag-teaching","17":"tag-writers-block","18":"tag-writing-class","19":"entry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9165"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279202,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9165\/revisions\/279202"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}